Had things gone according to his father’s wishes, He Qi would be one of China’s leading mathematicians today. But history — and more specifically Mao Tse-tung and his Cultural Revolution — had other ideas. “I was a teenage boy and…
Be substantive, not hip, to attract Millennials, research finds
Congregations considering seeking hip, young pastors to help attract Millennials may want to think twice about that move. A study of 250 American congregations has found that youth and young adults want substance from their ministers and churches more than…
Teens may not be lazy after all, new study shows
Those lazy kids. It’s a centuries old refrain that’s become popular in recent years as faith leaders look for the causes of church decline. But new research suggests teenagers may not be as much to blame as many think. It…
Missionary, daughter launch clothing line produced by refugees
There are the kinds of missionaries who translate the Bible into exotic languages, who hold revivals on faraway continents and who provide medical care and food for earthquake victims. And then there are the kind who launch and run businesses…
Report offers good (and bad) news about the state of American faith
A new survey of Christian beliefs and practices opens with what many in the church world would consider very good news: nearly three-quarters of Americans claim to be Christian. Meanwhile, a fifth claim no religious belief or affiliation at all,…
Baptist schools make list of seminaries known for combining faith, service
Three Baptist seminaries are among more than 30 ranked by a think tank for making significant impacts on the world. The Center for Faith and Service cooperates with divinity schools, churches, denominations and other organizations to create programs integrating faith…
Preaching tops in choosing new church, survey finds
It doesn’t take an academic or congregational consultant to see that a lot has changed in the church since the end of World War II. Fewer people attend and fewer people give than ever before. Worship styles have proliferated and…
9/11 inspired Baptist, Muslim to find Bible-based brotherhood
What a difference 15 years makes. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the United States has endured two gut-wrenching wars and a resulting debate over immigrants, refugees and Muslims that divides the nation. But there also has been enough…
‘Secret church shopper’ reports quality of welcome determines if guests will visit a second time
Greg Atkinson is one of those guests who give churches the chills. Whenever he visits a congregation for the first time, he loiters around the parking lots and restrooms, sizes up ushers and security and lurks around the nursery and…
CBF leader charged with shaping Fellowship’s ‘young Baptist ecosystem’
Devita Parnell is no stranger to the occasional confusion and curiosity elicited by sharing her job title with others: young Baptist ecosystem manager for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. “One time I mentioned my title to a woman at church and…
Role of deacons changing as churches embrace missional focus
Just a few years ago, Eddie Hammett says, the subject of deacons in the free church tradition started coming up in much of the congregational consulting and coaching work he was doing. Many churches — and plenty of deacons — were doubting the effectiveness…
Scholars, study promote ‘pastoral imagination’ in theological education
That first year at seminary — or any year at seminary, for that matter — can be extremely stressful. Many students face financial challenges. They worry about upending their families, finding new schools for the kids. re-arranging family schedules and adjusting to…